Once again we find ourselves discussing the iPhone 6 before we've even enjoyed our first look at the iPhone 5. But reports surfacing Monday suggest that Apple is already laying the foundation for its sixth generation iPhone, at least in terms of the device's LCD display.

Here's what we know - or think we know based on the latest reports: Apple is planning to work with Sharp to produce futuristic, next-generation low-temperature poly-silicon LCD displays. The benefit of the LCD displays will be a lighter-weight and thinner design for the iPhone.

This speculation comes out of the far east, specifically in a new report from Japanese newspaper Nikkan. According to sources speaking with the publication, Apple and Sharp have agreed to begin building the LCD displays next spring - spring of 2012 - likely to put the iPhone 6 on track for a summer 2012 debut.

In other words, it looks like we should expect an improved iPhone 6 screen more than anything else (read: Apple HDTVs) as a result of that patent acquisition. The new LCD screen, specifically a p-Si LCD screen, is described by Toshiba Mobile Display as featuring "low-temperature poly-silicon" technology, a next-generation display format that allows for thinner and lighter screens that consume less power than traditional LCD screens.

What's troubling to many current Apple fans and prospective iPhone buyers is that with all the talk of iPhone 5 being less than stellar in terms of upgrades, many would-be upgraders may delay purchasing the iPhone 5 in the fall of 2011 (its rumored release date) in favor of the iPhone 6, which may boast everything from 4G LTE connectivity to NFC technology.